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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Should retailers welcome Facebook’s virtual currency?
Facebook on Tuesday confirmed that it would lead an effort to create a new global digital currency, called Libra, powered by blockchain technology. Is it time for retailers to accept…
Will autonomous vans help Walmart win the middle mile logistics race?
It’s pretty common to hear retailers talking about the need to own the last mile, but Walmart is testing autonomous vans to transfer goods from one warehouse to another or…
Do direct-to-consumer digital brands have advantages over traditional retailers?
While a number have discovered the benefits of opening physical stores, digital direct-to-consumer brands have an advantage in pursuing digital initiatives. What advantages may digital DTC brands have over traditional…
Best Buy knows tech. What about fitness?
Best Buy announced that it has added connected home exercise devices to bestbuy.com and that it plans to display and sell the products in more than 100 stores by the…
Marketers work on solving the question of social media ROI
While marketing dollars are ramping towards social media, more than one-third of marketers also prioritize what potential the various social platforms have for making gains. Should marketers have different goals…
Are Shark Tank-like competitions a path to retail innovation?
Stew Leonard’s and Title Nine are orchestrating competitions mimicking the hit show, Shark Tank, to discover fresh ideas. What do you think of Shark Tank-style pitch competitions as a way…
Former Snapchat and Quidsi execs come up with possible rival to Amazon
The former chief strategy officer at Snapchat and his wife, formerly at Quidsi, have launched Verishop, a new online platform designed to bring “the joy back to shopping.” Will Verishop’s…
Can Sam’s Club’s new app really cut tire shopping down to 5 minutes?
Tire shoppers at Sam’s Club could find faster, more accurate recommendations from store staff thanks to a new app they’ll have on their tablets. How important is it for retailers…
Does self-checkout make sense for Costco?
Six years after getting rid of them, Costco is again testing self-service checkouts to help combat long waits at manned registers. Do you see more pros or cons in Costco’s…
How well did Target handle its no good, very bad weekend?
On Saturday, “an internal technology issue” caused long lines at Target stores and customers wasted no time going on social media to post their unhappiness. Will the checkout outages at…
Shake Shack founder says, ‘Do it. Don’t talk about it (sustainability initiatives) until asked.’
Shake Shack’s founder and acclaimed restaurateur said his sustainability choices have largely been done for “intuitive” rather than “intentional” reasons. What lessons might retailers and brands learn from Danny Meyer’s…
Will empathy training take Walgreens to a new level?
Looking to become America’s most loved beauty destination, Walgreens has launched health and beauty offerings to better serve oncology patients from the inside out. What role does empathy, if any,…
Amazon taps AI to drive fashion recommendations
Amazon.com last week introduced StyleSnap, a feature that makes fashion recommendations based on user-submitted photos. What do you think of StyleSnap and the potential of artificial intelligence to support fashion…
What is Jet.com’s future after its reorg within Walmart?
Walmart is folding Jet.com’s teams — analytics, marketing, product, retail, technology, et al — into its corporate web organization. What do you see as Jet.com’s role within Walmart?
Will same-day delivery flexibility give Target an edge over Amazon and Walmart?
Target wants to give its customers more financial flexibility when it comes to receiving same-day delivery of items purchased online. How do you assess Target’s overall digital sales progress compared…
Indochino bets big on showrooms
At last week’s Future Stores Seattle conference, attendees heard quite a lot from digitally-native retailers about making the journey offline through experiential showrooms. Are showrooms only viable for made-to-order retailers?
Can GameStop reboot itself?
Being mentioned in the company of Blockbuster, Circuit City and Borders, doesn’t suggest good news for GameStop. Are the comparisons between GameStop and chains like Blockbuster justified?
What does FedEx’s break with Amazon mean?
One analyst views FedEx’s decision not to renew its Express domestic contract with Amazon.com as “…a watershed moment for the parcel industry…” Does FedEx’s decision not to renew its Express…
Has Barnes & Noble found its savior(s)?
First, Barnes & Noble agreed to be acquired by hedge fund Elliott Management. Now, however, the book distributor, Readerlink is seeking to raise financing to make its own bid. Would…
Kroger is high on the CBD sales opportunity
Kroger is the latest major retail chain attempting to cash in on the CBD (cannabidiol) products rush. Do you think most major retailers will soon begin stocking personal care products…
Will a credit builder program create a new legion of loyal Amazon shoppers?
Amazon.com has launched a new program with Synchrony which is designed to help people who have no credit history or want to rebuild their credit scores do so responsibly. Do…
